Her Story
About Nelly
I grew up in a little town on a farm in the Andes of Peru, moved to Lima, went to university, and got my CPA in Lima. My dream was to come to the United States, and I was able to do it without crossing the border. When I came to this country in 2000, I had to learn English and take some classes. In 2004, I finally found a job at the Department of Transportation here in South Dakota. I started as an assistant accountant, and after 2 years, I realized I was ready to move to the next level. I worked my way up from assistant accountant to fixed asset management at DOT, where I was in charge of everything related to fixed assets, including depreciation, work in progress, and buildings. I then worked at the Department of Revenue for 4 years as a revenue section coordinator, where I was in charge of a team. I also worked at Human Services as an accountant before coming to the Department of Public Safety 10 years ago as an Accountant 2. In my current role, I primarily reconcile federal grants, making sure everything is reconciled and we have enough money in the budget. I also handle grant payables and am in charge of the credit card approval process. For me, work doesn't feel like work because I love what I do. I didn't like accounting at the beginning when I started studying at university, but the more I learned, the more I liked it. Once I started working, I realized it all makes sense. Every step up the ladder has been an achievement for me, and I feel like a blessed woman because all my dreams have come true.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nelly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think I am like my mom. She had energy and never gave up. I grew up with a mother who was a single mother for many years. I met my father when I was 16 or 17, and I grew up with my mother who was father and mother. She was very strong, very determined. I feel like if you want something, work hard and get it. I believe in God, and I think God gave me all the things that I wanted. I feel like a blessed woman because all my dreams have come true. Never give up, because if you want something, you need to move forward and put the stones aside. You're gonna fall so many times, but you need to stand up stronger. Life is not easy, but life is wonderful. It's wonderful to be alive and to be able to accomplish so many things.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from one of my supervisors way back in Peru. He said to me, never be jealous if somebody comes and takes your place, because if that happens, that means that you are going up the ladder. It doesn't mean anything bad about you, it means that you are moving forward. That was always attached to me, you know, never feel jealous. Throughout all this career, I've found and met so many people that feel that way, but I never did because of that advice.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Fight for your dreams. Never give up. Never, never give up, because you need to move forward and put the stones aside, because you're gonna find stones. You're gonna fall so many times, but you need to stand up stronger. Life is not easy, but life is wonderful. I always say that. Life is not easy, but it's wonderful to be alive and to be able to accomplish so many things.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, being committed to my job with responsibility is very important for me. No matter what, sometimes if I have something to finish, like today, I'm gonna stay until 6 or 7:30, or until I finish what I have to finish. So responsibility, I believe, is one of the biggest ones. Attending work is also very important. Not taking things personally is important too. Throughout my career, I learned that everybody has their own way, and you are not here to change anybody.
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